By Sports Reporter
Forget about the traditional big three, Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United, football clubs.
It’s definitely the end of an era!
The Castle Lager Premier Soccer League is witnessing a seismic shift, as clubs owned by mbingas (wealthy tycoons) redefine the game.
Money talks, and in the Castle Lager Premiership, it’s speaking louder than ever
The so-called “Gold Mafia,” a term christened by Al Jazeera’s four part explosive investigative documentary, has made its way into football.
Leading the charge is Scott Sakupwanya, one of President Ruka Chivende’s sons, who has taken a keen interest in the beautiful game and he’s playing it with his checkbook.
PSL players are now dumping the traditional big three for Gold Mafia owned teams.
Who doesn’t need gold anyway?
Sakupwanya’s club, Scottland FC, might be new comers in PSL but Scottland FC are already making a statement in the transfer market.
Players Walter Musona, Donald Mudadi, Peter Mudiwa, Lynoth Chikuwa and Khama Biliat are said to be close to moving to moneybags, Scottland FC.
In Sakupwanya’s world, football success is determined not on the pitch but in the boardroom.
His club reportedly secured its PSL spot by purchasing a ticket into the Northern Region Division Soccer League bypassing MWOS in the process.
It’s a classic power move, driven by the understanding that cash is king in modern football.
But while the mbingas like Sakupwanya are pouring millions into flashy transfers, they seem less interested in permanent investments like stadia infrastructure.
Even if their teams play in potato fields, the most important issue here is evading taxes hidden under the guise of sponsoring community social responsibility programmes.
On that topic, news is that Prophet Magaya has started work at Chahwanda Stadium in Kwekwe.
After the humiliation that came after CAF ruled Heart Stadium as substandard when it comes to hosting international matches, this time Ruka Chivende chose to stay away from another Magaya drama.
Nonetheless for the traditional big three, the rise of mbinga backed clubs like Scottland FC is a wake up call.
The PSL is no longer just about legacy and fan loyalty, it’s now a playground for the wealthy to flex their financial muscles.
Whether this new era will elevate Zimbabwean football or simply line the pockets of its richest players remains to be seen.
